Aldermen to Consider Sunday Beer Sales

City officials in Philadelphia say they are surrounded by areas that sell beer on Sundays. From Meridian and Collinsville to DeKalb and Newton, the sale of beer is allowed on Sundays and officials in Philadelphia say it's possible that because of this, their city is paying a price.

"It's a billion dollar industry," said Ward 1 alderman, Joe Tullos. "And Sunday just happens to be the second biggest selling day of the week for merchants."

Tullos made the initial proposal to amend Philadelphia' s ordinance, which allows the sale of beer every day of the week except Sunday.

"We're forfeiting that money," said Tullos. "And with the $900,000 deficit in our budget that we were just read by our auditor, the time is now."

"I'm mayor of those who drink and I'm mayor of those who don't drink," said Philadelphia Mayor James Young.

As a pastor himself, Young says he does not drink, but that the issue goes beyond just himself.

'I stand in the gap and I'm trying to balance what's for the good of everybody," Young said. "If there was no casino here, if there was no beer sales at all, then we could say let's maintain this. But that's not the case in Philadelphia."

If approved, Young says he does not feel that the ordinance will encourage alcoholism.

The measure is now left up to the board of alderman, which will vote on the issue at its next meeting Tuesday night.

"It's not a proactive approach. It's reactive in nature," said Tullos. "But it's time that we move forward with the correct business decision."

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